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Part 3: Skirts, Lowering, and Airsprings

(Click photo to enlarge)

In this shot it's easy to see how the blister of the quarter panel has been cut off in order to make a full-size skirt for the rear. The section of white sheet metal came out of a Pontiac Parisienne hood, I have one from each side and the curves of the hood edges line up perfectly with the lower curve of the quarter flare/rocker.

The back view of the skirt, showing the 5/16" steel rod that reinforces the edges of the panels. The rod was bent cold to match the curves in the existing panels, and once welded on, gives them enough stiffness and also some structure to allow mounting them on the car.

(Click photo to enlarge)

(Click photo to enlarge)

Rear of the same skirt, showing the reinforced edge. This end will get a brace added to help reinforce the skin, and also incorporate the mounting point for the rear.

A profile shot of the driver's side skirt. The skirts must be full-size and removable in order to be able to change tires if necessary. The current plan is for 2 small pins to retain the leading edge of the skirts to the quarter, and a threaded hand wheel (think lawnmower handle) on the inside of the rear quarter to keep it tight. Cheap, simple, and antitheft, because with the trunk lid motorized from the new dash switch, someone has to be inside the car to access the trunk.

(Click photo to enlarge)

(Click photo to enlarge)

Here is a picture of the right rear trunk of the '54. Note the 4" square heavywall box tubing rear crossmember/upper airbag mount, and the new rear wheeltubs. Necessary because of the channeling, the rear suspension work, and the desire to lay the body as low as possible. With the rear axle on the bumpstops, the rear bumper drags the garage floor, and the tires are tucked up just under the package tray.

This is the driver's side airbag, with custom upper and lower mounts to fit between the framerail bottom and the A-arm. The original 6 cylinder engine mount is on the left, the Caddy 500 mount is on the right.

(Click photo to enlarge)

Click here for Part 4: Tilt Nose, Exhaust, and Taillights


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